The 1972 Dodge Dart brought a large number of changes to the third-generation A-body, especially considering the neglect it would suffer as the corporation built up to the fourth generation (which would have a marketing-driven name and body-code change). The 1972 updates were both functional and cosmetic; the cosmetic changes included:

New grille and parking lamps.

New door trim panels-simulated woodgrain on highllne.

Various new seating options, including optional folding front center armrests

Solid stainless-steel radio antenna designed to resist damage caused by vandals or by automatic car wash mechanisms, and changed to 31 inches for better FM reception.

New plastic side marker lamps and reflectors.

Changes for safety included brighter backup lights, strengthened seat tracks, and a new gas cap that prevented pressure build-up.

Comfort and convenience features included a new shift linkage for the column-mounted manual shifter (to reduce vibration), a new FM radio option, an optional inside hood release, and a new, one-hand seat-back release for buckets.

For the powertrain, automatic transmissions got smoother and quieter due to a new machining technique for pinion gears; the Chrysler alternator was revised for better performance and longevity; circuit protection in the engine bay was improved; the battery was given a quick disconnect to make service easier; the vapor saver was improved by adding an overfill limiting valve and charcoal canister (whicih improved idle and hot-start performance); the 340 carb was altered to provide better cold weather starting and burn leaner (through better metering and agitation of air and fuel); electronic ignition became standard on the 340; all slant sixes were given hardened valve seats to make unleaded fuel viable; and a synthetic anti-scuff additive was put into the 340’s oil to prevent piston pin scuffing.

Less functional additions included an optional hood scoop for the Demon; new wheel cover and wheel; and that most ephemeral of features, a “standard litter container” (a plastic bag for garbage that hooked onto the door locks).

The 1972 Dart, Demon, and Swinger together sold more than 200,000 units, a phenomenal performance by modern American-car standards, but they were actually outsold by a good margin by their Plymouth equivalents, with well over 300,000 sales. Altogether, more than half a million A-bodies were sold in the United States alone, a number even the 21st Century Toyota would be happy with; and the A-bodies were also sold in various forms throughout the world, notably in South America and Australia.

The Scamp and Swinger were nearly identical, as were the Demon and Duster; the Dart still rode on a longer wheelbase than the Valiant, a practice that would end with the 1974 model year. The reason for the Demon, which was functionally so similar to the Swinger, was the phenomenal success of the Plymouth Duster, its counterpart; but the naming, apparently done so Dodge dealers could say “Come in for a Demon-stration,” backfired as conservative groups in the South protested (for religious reasons), and did not last. The Plymouth Duster sales were absolutely tremendous, but the Demon, despite its nearly identical appearance from behind (and its own cartoon character), failed to make much impact on sales.

1972 Dart engines

The 198 cid slant six was standard on all models; a stroked version, the 225, was optional. Features included heater inlet air system, faster-acting choke, and induction hardened exhaust valve seats for greater wear resistance. To equalize fuel distribution and minimize back pressure and power loss, there is an intake and an exhaust passage for each
cylinder. A single-barrel carb was used.

The 318 V8 was the standard V8. Hydraulic tappets reduced valve-train noise and did away with periodic tappet
adjustments. Features included a single-level intake manifold, heated air inlet system, faster-acting choke, cast ­steel crankshaft, wedge-type combustion chambers, new pistons to reduce the compression ratio and hydrocarbon emissions, and a two­barrel carburetor.

The 340, used only on Demon 340, had a forged crankshaft, double-roller timing chain and sprockets, electronic Ignition, four-barrel Thermoquad carburetor, dual exhaust system, heated air inlet system, unsilenced air cleaner, and special camshaft.

Automatic transmission gearing was identical for the 198 and 225; the sixes, the 318, and the 340 all had different gearing. A console mount was available with bucket seats and consoles; otherwise they were column mounted, as were the standard three-speed manuals. There were also floor-mounted three-speed and four-speed manuals; the four speed was only available in Demon 340.

1972 Dodge Dart engine lineup

Slant Six (198 standard, 225 optional): standard on Dart Custom, Swinger, Demon, and Dart.
Heater inlet air system. Faster acting choke. To equalize fuel distribution and minimize back pressure and power loss, there is an intake and an exhaust passage for each cylinder. Induction hardened exhaust valve seats for greater wear resistance. Single exhaust system. One-barrel carburetor.

340 V-8: Only available as the sole engine of the Demon 340.
Forged crankshaft. Double-roller timing chain and sprockets. Electronic Ignition. Four-barrel thermoquad carburetor. Dual exhaust system. Heated air inlet system. Unsilenced air cleaner. Special camshaft. Air conditioning and power steering are available with this engine.

Transmissions

A surprising number of transmission options were available (especially compared with today’s cars that offer a choice of, at best, manual and automatic.) The column-mounted Torque-Flite three-speed automatic was optional on all models, with a differently tuned version available for each of the four engines. A console shift version of the TorqueFlite, which required pressing a button to shift between neutral and park or reverse, or from Drive to lower gears, was also available on models with the optional buckets or console.

The three-speed column-mounted manually remained, with a version for the slant six and a fully synchronized version for V8s. This was standard for everything but the Demon 340, with a floor-mounted, fully synchronized three-speed shifter optional on other models (and standard on Demon 340). A four-on-the-floor with Hurst shifter and reverse warning light was only available as an option in the Demon 340.

Front disc brakes (with rear drums) were optional on all models. Brake linings were bonded for more lining area and longer lining life (no need for rivet-holes); police cars got bonded and riveted pads. There were two master cylinders in the same housing, one for the front brakes and one for the rear; each used separate hydraulic lines. In case of damage to one line, the remaining ones could stop the car. Low brake pressure lit a lamp (also used to show the parking brake was on).

Also available were the Sure-Grip differential, hood scoops (Dart, Demon, Demon 340), FM radio, a rear-window defogger (on all models), a manually operated, soft folding sunroof (on the Dart Demon and Demon 340), power steering (using a roller-type pump for greater pressures and more boost), variable-speed wipers, electric washers, tinted glass, and many other options including a variety of radios.

Instrument panel: The dashboard would remain almost identical from 1972 through to the end in 1976. The padded dash was nonreflecting, and on Dart and Demon had (poorly) simulated woodgrain; on Dart Custom and Dart Swinger models the simulated woodgrain extended the full width of the dash (optional on other models). There were needle gauges for temperature, alternator and fuel. The radios used knobs for on/off/volume, tuning, and tone. A fresh air hot-water heating / defrosting system was standard.

Choke, Automatic-Controlled by engine temperature, carburetor air velocity and vacuum diaphragm. Heatsensing coil is recessed in exhaust manifold on 6-cyl. engines, located in exhaust crossover on V8s.

Crankcase Ventilation - Closed-circuit, crankcase ventilation system is standard on all models. Crankcase vapors are routed to the combustion chambers through a self-cleaning ventilator valve located in the valve cover. Vapors are burned before being expelled into the air through the exhaust system.

Crankshaft-Drop-forged steel, statically and dynamically balanced. Large overlaps between connectingrod and main bearing journals for increased strength and freedom from vibration.

Lubrication, Suspension and Steering - Four front suspension ball joints require lubrication at 36,000mile or 3-year intervals, the only lube points in the suspension system. Steering linkage joints are lubricated and permanently sealed at the factory.

Full list of 1972 changes (quoted from Dodge)

New cloth and vinyl bench seat with folding front center armrest is optional on the Swinger 2-door hardtop.

New all-vinyl bench seat with folding front center armrest is optional on the Custom 4-door sedan and Demon models.

New full-depth foam seat-backs. The foam is molded directly onto the seat-back frame in Dart full bench and split-back bench seats. It results in additional knee room for rear-seat passengers because the seat-back is thinner.

New, solid stainless-steel radio antenna. It is 31 inches in height and is designed to resist dam­age caused by vandals or by automatic car wash mechanisms. Thirty-one inches is the most effec­tive height for FM because the radio can be tuned to that height-thus assuring better recep­tion.

New, Chrysler-built alternator gives improved performance at higher operating speeds, has a longer service life, and is easier to install and service.

New pressure-vacuum safety gasoline filler cap: Like a radiator cap, it has safety tangs that allow the cap to be loosened to relieve pressure, but prevents the pressure from forcing it off. It pre­vents pressure build-up in the tank or vent lines.

compartment battery feed wiring. it also features a quick-disconnect for conveniently disconnect­ing the battery during storage or servicing.

Vapor saver improved. An overfill limiting valve and a charcoal canister have been added. The valve provides positive control of the flow of fuel vapors from the fuel tank to the engine and im­proves engine idling and hot-start performance.

The canister contains 650 grams of activated charcoal and is used for the storage of fuel va­pors.

The thermo-quad carburetor used on the 340 v-a provides better cold-weather starting and can operate on leaner mixtures which is conducive

to lower carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon emission rates. These benefits are produced by im­proved metering for better control of the amounts of fuel and air being used, and by better agitation of the fuel and air.

New, synthetic, anti-scuff additive Is placed in the oil of the 340 V-B to provide better protection against piston pin scuffing. One pint is added to the oil of each new 340 V-B.

New AM/FM radio option.

An inside hood release is available as an option in the Protection Group only.

New one-hand trigger seat-back release on bucket seats.

New optional hood scoop for Demon.

New optional wheel cover and rally wheel.

New electronic ignition standard on all 340 engines. This new electronic ignition system elimi­nates the two components that are usually responsible for an engine needing a tune-up: the distributor points and condenser.

The electronic ignition uses a magnetic sensing device that generates the spark to the spark plugs electronically.

This system produces a much more consistent spark. Spark plugs last much longer when regular gasoline is used-and tune-ups are few and far be­tween. The consistent spark also provides better engine combustion, which means better exhaust emissions control.

Automatic transmission special is now available on Dart Swinger 2-door hardtop and Dart Custom 4-door sedan